History

Akdeniz University, an institution which is dedicated to bringing illumination and enlightenment to society, was founded in 1982. It has since become one of the nation's leading education institutions due to its rapid yet stable progress. The university now provides a modern standard of education in 15 faculties, 6 schools and 13 vocational schools. In addition to its bachelor degree programmes, Akdeniz University has 5 graduate schools which provide post-graduate and doctorate programs, as well as providing a home for the Antalya State Conservatory. Akdeniz University is a campus university established on 3,700 acres of land to the west of the city centre. With more than 240 different educational and scientific programmes, the university provides education for more than 30,000 students.

The primary goal of Akdeniz University is to put at the service of the nation graduates who are not only well-qualified, but also modern, democratic and secular in outlook. We encourage them to be at peace with the community, able to see both the national and universal perspective with deep respect for the highest cultural values, and with an appreciation of Atatürk's principles and reforms. They will go out into the world with an ability to solve problems, with a purpose for the future, and well-equipped to use the knowledge they have gained in their quest for further professional and personal development.

The provision of higher education of the very best quality to meet the nation's requirements for qualified people is of the greatest importance to the university. We create a fertile atmosphere in which research which can make a universal contribution to science, leading to innovative projects at the basic and applied level which can be shared with the whole of the scientific community.

Our involvement in the Erasmus program in 2003 has transformed our university into an international institution which is not only meeting the needs of foreign students, but which has also led to us being selected twice as the best university in our application of the Erasmus program by the Turkish National Agency. Akdeniz University carried this success even further across Europe when it was placed third among over four thousand universities from 23 countries,was deemed worthy of the Erasmus Lifelong Learning Award in Bronze, given by the Education and Culture General Directorate of the European Commission. The award of this prize placed the name of Turkey for the first time in a prominent position within the scope of European Education programmes.

Within the context of increasing globalization, the International Youth Festival is held in May every year to bring together young people from different countries in a cultural, artistic and entertaining atmosphere. The aim of the festival is to prevent the loss of our rich cultural heritage, to pass precious traditions on to succeeding generations, and to bring the young people of the world together in peace and harmony.

We look forward to seeing you at Akdeniz University, a university which is dedicated to bringing illumination and enlightenment to society in accordance with Atatürk's principles and reforms, and which fulfils its duty to deal with regional and national problems and provide effective solutions.